Four years after becoming an instructional coach, Elena Aguilar once again found herself in front of a class of 8th graders, looking for trusting relationships. “Within just five minutes, I was humbled. Who did I think I was that I could incur their trust that fast? I wanted to bow down to the teacher—Oh, yes, this is so hard.”
Closing the Achievement Gap / Two Teachers in the Room
by Elizabeth Stein · Published 04/03/2013 · Last modified 11/18/2019
Elizabeth Stein & assistant principal Paul McNeil consider personal, classroom, and school strategies that can help close achievement gaps for students with disabilities, including peer tutoring and support for high expectations. It takes a team approach, and it takes time and patience.
Building Community / Two Teachers in the Room
by Laurie Wasserman · Published 03/17/2013 · Last modified 11/23/2019
After years without a homeroom, special educator Laurie Wasserman eagerly volunteered for one — and set out to build a real classroom community.
Helping Struggling Students / Two Teachers in the Room
by Laurie Wasserman · Published 02/06/2013 · Last modified 11/13/2019
How do we help kids with less support outside of school? “Two Teachers” blogger Laurie Wasserman shares some ways she & her school go the extra mile.
English Language Learners / Interviews
by MiddleWeb · Published 01/16/2013 · Last modified 11/26/2019
Katie Hull Sypnieski, co-author of The ESL/ELL Teacher’s Survival Guide, shares some do’s & don’ts for all teachers with ELL students. A MIddleWeb interview.
Helping Struggling Students / Two Teachers in the Room
by Laurie Wasserman · Published 01/06/2013 · Last modified 12/11/2019
At “Two Teachers in the Room,” Laurie Wasserman begins a series on helping students who are struggling academically. First up: Organization!
Co-Teacher Resolutions / Two Teachers in the Room
by Elizabeth Stein · Published 12/31/2012 · Last modified 11/26/2019
Laurie Wasserman and Elizabeth Stein share their good wishes for middle grades educators everywhere. And if some sound like resolutions, well…they’re teachers!
Guest blogger Bill Ivey reflects on the prospects of girl-centered organizations to help address the gender gap in STEM career education.
Strong Partnerships / Two Teachers in the Room
by Laurie Wasserman · Published 11/04/2012 · Last modified 12/02/2019
In co-teaching terms, says Laurie Wasserman, ‘partnership’ means finding balance, sharing responsibilities, planning together, and gaining mutual respect.
Special ed teacher Laura Von Staden, mom of two children with ADHD, says this otherwise useful book, The Energetic Brain: Understanding and Managing ADHD, lacks the detail about specific interventions teachers need.
